“It is time that we found a new sense of hope and optimism for our region.”

Providing a Foundation for Economic Prosperity

Traditionally, Main Streets were the social and economic epicenter of our communities. Since the decline of coal, however, our Main Streets have been neglected, jobs have been lost and our hopes have been dashed. It is time that we find a new sense of hope and optimism for our communities.

That is why I am proud to announce my plan for a new revitalization and job creation program: “Project Main Street.” As a member of Congress, I will lead the way to launch Project Main Street. Project Main Street will revitalize our Main Streets, utilizing existing money and programs such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation to improve infrastructure and encourage job growth in the hearts of our communities.

This initiative will not create a new federal bureaucracy or increase federal spending, but instead will shepherd the resources of the federal government and existing state and local Main Street initiatives to target the revitalization of our Main Streets.

Main Streets were once the epicenter of our communities, and remain home to some of the region’s oldest and most successful small businesses. The Project Main Street initiative is designed to reward existing small businesses, create temporary and permanent family-sustaining jobs, improve aging infrastructure and restore pride in our communities. 

This initiative will fund the rebirth of Main Streets across our region and the nation, specifically:

1. Aging infrastructure will be replaced with state-of-the-art transportation and technology infrastructures, including high-speed wireless connectivity;
2. Unsightly power, telephone and cable lines will be routed under new sidewalks;
3. Traffic will be slowed by new traffic and parking patterns;
4. Energy-efficient, period lighting and trees will replace outdated lighting systems;
5. Sidewalks will be widened for smoother pedestrian flow and improved access; and
6. Small business façades would be renovated as a symbol of our region’s rebirth and the restoration of our cultural heritage.

Project Main Street will restore pride in our communities, create short-term and long-term jobs, and upgrade the infrastructure necessary to compete in the 21st century economy.

Rollover to view the transformation here:

Proposed Eligibility Requirements

1. Pay-As-You-Go:  Project Main Street initiatives must be funded through existing federal funds, such as those allocated through the economic stimulus and jobs packages.  Project Main Street initiatives would therefore be deficit-neutral.
2. Project Labor Agreements: Project Main Street initiatives must include project labor agreements to ensure livable wages, healthcare, pensions and training for workers filling the construction jobs created by this initiative.
3. Existing Small Business Base: The goal of Project Main Street is not to create something out of nothing, but to encourage growth by starting in communities with existing small business foundations. Project Main Street will target those communities with existing small businesses and provide significant opportunities for improvement and growth.
4. Federal Matching Program: Project Main Street initiatives would require public-private partnerships, but local public and private matching requirements could be satisfied by the execution of long-term maintenance agreements between local municipalities, business communities and the federal government. These agreements would require local municipalities to maintain lighting, trees and infrastructure upgrades in exchange for full federal construction funding.
   

I am proud not only to provide my support and encouragement for this initiative, but my vision for its implementation. Join with me in encouraging the adoption of Project Main Street, and let us refocus our country’s attention from the rescue of Wall Street to the renewal of Main Street.